Drain trap and cleaner

ABSTRACT

A drain trap for sinks, bathtubs, tanks and the like which include self contained cleaning means operable to dislodge waste deposited in the trap, to thereby keep the drain trap clean without the need for special plumbing services. The cleaning means includes a resilient strap member disposed within the trap for reciprocatory movement when necessary; the strap member carrying scrapers for dislodging deposited waste from the inner surfaces of the trap, together with auxiliary means for facilitating the dislodgement of such deposited waste. The cleaning means is integral with the trap so as to be available for use at all times.

Unite States Patent [191 Friedman Mar. 25, 1975 DRAIN TRAP AND CLEANER [76] Inventor: Harry Friedman, 58-26 203rd St.,

Bayside, NY. 11364 22 Filed: June 4,1973

21 App1.No.:366,844

[52] US. Cl 4/255, 4/257, 15/1043 SN, 15/104.16

[51] Int. Cl A47k 11/10 [58] Field of Search 4/255, 257, 288, 93, 95;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 267,306 11/1882 Gall 4/255 986,268 3/1911 Colina et a1. 4/255 1,568,392 1/1926 Abernathy l5/lO4.16 1.897.859 2/1933 Denrose 15/104 .3 R 2,039,467 5/1936 Walsh 4/255 Primary E.\'aminerHenry K. Artis Assistant Examiner-James E. Bryant, [11 Attorney, Agent, or FirmPhilip G. Hilbert [57] ABSTRACT gral with the trap so as to be available for use at all times.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU W2 5 I 5 FIG. 7

FIG.9

DRAIN TRAP AND CLEANER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally, drain traps on sinks or the like, are periodically cleaned to remove deposited waste. Such cleaning means usually takes the form of snakes and the like, which are usually manipulated by plumbers summoned for the purpose. With the known difficulties in obtaining the services of technicians such as plumbers and the relatively high cost of their services, difficulties are inevitably presented.

Accordingly, in most cases resort is had to chemical trap cleansers. Such chemical cleansers are exceedingly corrosive in order to cope with the waste matter which is to be degraded. The corrosive properties of chemical cleaners necessarily involves an attack and deterioration of the metal trap as well as metal plumbing associated with the trap. Further, such cleaners present a hazard to the user leading to skin burns and other adverse effects.

While a householder may resort to snakes or other known mechanical cleaning devices; these expedients require expertise in their manipulation or are of a complicated, expensive construction. In either case, difficulties in their use and application to specific drain structures, are quite common.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved combination drain trap and cleaner, which is of simple construction, is inexpensive to manufacture, is readily installed as either an original or replacement component of the plumbing system.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination drain trap and cleaner, wherein the cleaner is integrated with the trap and is thus available for use at all times and may be readily manipulated by the layman.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved device of the character described,'wherein the cleaner includes scraper members disposed within the drain trap and resiliently conforming to the curvature of the walls of the trap, so that upon reciprocation of the cleaner, the scraper members are effective to dislodge deposited waste matter from the walls of the drain trap.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described, scraper members which are of arcuate shape so as to conform to the inner curvature of the walls of the drain trap, and being of a resilient material so as readily abut inner wall portions of drain traps of somewhat varying dimensions.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described, wherein the cleaner includes a resilient strap member upon which the scrapers are mounted; the scrapers including auxiliary elements for augmenting the wall scraping action; the strap member also including a portion thereof for engaging and dislodging portions of the deposited waste located remotely from the walls of the drain trap.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, wherein the strap member includes an end portion projecting through an opening in a wall portion of the drain trap to provide handle means for manually reciprocating the cleaner to operate the same.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described wherein the handle portion of the strap member is enclosed by sealing means on the drain trap to prevent the escape of noxious gases from the trap or the leakage of waste matter; the sealing means also being effective to clean the handle portion of the strap member upon reciprocation thereof.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, wherein the cleaner means is preassembled and lends itself to simple operations for associating the same with the drain trap.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a sink or lavatory with the combination drain trap and cleaner of the instant invention, associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the drain trap and cleaner integrated therewith; with parts cut away and parts in section;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a sealing cap which is an element of the trap and cleaner;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a washer associated with the cap;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another washer associated with the cap; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view thereof.

DESCRIPTION-OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The combination drain trap and cleaner of the instant invention may be used with various sinks, lavatories, bath tubs, wash tubs and washing machines which are connected to waste lines. Thus, the sink S shown in FIG. 1, is mounted on a wall W and includes the usual bowl portion B. A combination drain trap and cleaner embodying the invention and generallydesignated at 10, has extending therefrom threaded connectors 11, 12; connector 12 extending to the usual waste line, not shown, while connector 11 extends to bowl B.

The device 10 comprises essentially a .I shaped tubular trap '13 having a short tubular arm 14 externally threaded as at 15 for threaded connection to connector 12. The trap 13 further includes a long tubular arm 16 which is formed at its upper end with threads, not shown, for connection to connector 11.

The device 10 has integrated therewith cleaner means for dislodging accumulated waste deposited on the inner wall portions of the trap and generally indicated at 17. Such cleaner means comprises a springy, resilient metal strap member 18 which may be formed of spring steel. The member 18 has a length such that the same may be disposed within the trap 13 including arm portions 14, 16 and the tubular bight portion 20 which connects arm portions 14, 16.

The strap member 18 is of rectangular cross section and has secured to an intermediate portion 21 thereof, a pair of spaced scraper members 22, 23. The scraper members 22, 23 are formed of thin gauge spring metal or plastic and are of arcuate shape. The members 22, 23 have mid-portions thereof secured to strap member portion 21 by rivets 24 or the like, such rivets 24 having inwardly projecting, radially extending pin portions 25, for the purpose later described.

The scraper members 22, 23 have mounted thereon pins 26 which are angularly displaced from each other and project radially inward. The number of pins 26 and their angular spacing may be varied as desired. The scraper members 22, 23 may have an angular extent of from about 180 to about 270.

The forward end portion 27 of strap member 18 is curved as at 28 to locate the terminal portion 29 thereof in suitably spaced relation to the opposed wall portions of trap 13.

The strap member 18 is adapted to be manually reciprocated within trap portions 14, 16 and to dislodge waste deposited on the inner surfaces of the trap 13 by way of a scraping action of scraper members 22, 23 which substantially-abut the wall surfaces; Since the members 22, 23 are of a springy nature; they will readily conform to the curvature of the opposed wall portions of trap 13 despite some-dimensional variations in the ID. of the tubular portions 14, 16 and 20.

Further, the pins 25, 26 on scraper members 22, 23 can engage thickened waste deposits and operate in conjunction with the scraper members 22, 23 to dislodge such waste deposits. In the case of .still thicker waste deposits, the leading end 29 of strap member 18 serves to split up such deposits and thus coact with the scraper action of members 22, 23 and the action of pins 25, 26. g

The rear portion' 30 of strap member 18 is adapted to projectoutwardly of the wall of trap portion 16 by way of an opening 31 formed in said wall adjacent the upper end thereof. The strap portion 30 terminates in a loop portion 32 which provides means for grasping the same to provide manual reciprocatory movement to cleaner 17 and thereby render scraper members 22, 23 operative.

The strap member portion 30 is encased and in effect, sealed by a short tubular member 33 which is soldered or brazed at its lower end 34 to tubular arm 16 and in registry with wall opening 31 so that the member 33 is in communication with the interior of trap 13.

The outer end of tubular member 33 is sealed while still allowing strap member portion 30 to pass therethrough. To thisend, there is provided an internally threaded cap 35 which engages the externally threaded portion 36 of member 33. Cap 35 has a circular opening 37 in the top wall thereof to pass strap portion 30 therethrough and to allow cap 35 to be screwed on to portion 36 of member 33. An annular washed 38 with opening 38A is seated within cap 35 and a second washer 39 with a slot 40 is seated on washer 38, see FIG. 4.

Thus, the cap 35 may be rotated to engage or disengage the threaded portion 36 of tubular member 33, while the strap portion 30 remains non-rotatable but capable of reciprocation by way of slot 40 in washer 39. Further, the strap member 18 may be cleaned as it passes through slot 40 by a wiping action in respect of washer 39.

It has been found that the cleaner 17 upon simple manual reciprocation by way ofloop handle 32, will be moved so as to render scraper members 22, 23, as well as pins 25, 26 and strap end 29 highly effective to dislodge deposited waste from the inner surfaces of the trap 13. The dislodged matter is then readily flushed out of trap 13 by an unimpeded flow of water from sink S.

31 to facilitate the assembly of cleaner 17 with trap 13.

It is understood that the trap may have varied configurations to suit specific installation requirements including the connectors extending therefrom to the waste line and the sink, lavatory or the like; and still incorporate the cleaner means of the instant invention.

I claim:

1. In combination, a drain trap comprising a tubular elbow member and cleaning means mounted on said elbow member for cleaning said trap, said cleaning means comprising scraping means movably mounted within said elbow member, said scraping means comprising an elongated resilient strap member and a plurality of partially circular scraper member having opposed ends and mounted in spaced relation on said strap member, the scraper members having their outer surface portions disposed adjacent inner surface portions of said elbow member and having contours complementary to the curvature of said elbow member at various points along the extent thereof, said strap mem ber including a handle portion at one end thereof for manual reciprocation of said scraper members relative to said elbow member, said elbow member being formed with an opening in a wall portion thereof for passing the handle portion of said strap member therethrough whereby reciprocation of said scraper means is operative to dislodge waste matter deposited on inner surface portions of said elbow member.

2. The combination as in claim 1, and further including means on said elbow member for enclosing an extended handle portion of said scraper means.

3. The combination as in claim 2, wherein said elbow member is J shaped with long and short arms, said enclosing means comprising a tubular member mounted on an arm of said J shaped member for communication with the interior of said elbow member, cap means on the outer end of said tubular member, said cap means being formed with an opening to pass the handle portion of said scraper means therethrough.

4. The combination as in claim 1, wherein said strap member includes a forward end portion disposed in a substantially axial zone of said elbow member for engaging portions of waste deposit spaced from opposed surface portions of said elbow member.

5. The combination as in claim 1 wherein each of said scraper members has a plurality of pins extending from the inner surface thereof.

6. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said scraper members have an arcuate extent of from to 270.

7. The combination as in claim 3, wherein said cap means is internally threaded and said tubular enclosing member is externally threaded on the outer end thereof for threaded engagement with said cap means, annular washer means within said cap means and a slotted washer member within said cap means and disposed outwardly of said annular washed means.

8. In combination, a drain trap comprising a curved tubular elbow member and cleaning means mounted on said elbow member for cleaning said trap, said cleaning members having their outer surface portions disposed I adjacent opposed inner surface portions of said elbow member and having contours complementary to the curvature of said elbow member at various points along the extent thereof, and handle means at one end of said strap member for manually reciprocating said cleaning means relative to said elbow member. 

1. In combination, a drain trap comprising a tubular elbow member and cleaning means mounted on said elbow member for cleaning said trap, said cleaning means comprising scraping means movably mounted within said elbow member, said scraping means comprising an elongated resilient strap member and a plurality of partially circular scraper member having opposed ends and mouNted in spaced relation on said strap member, the scraper members having their outer surface portions disposed adjacent inner surface portions of said elbow member and having contours complementary to the curvature of said elbow member at various points along the extent thereof, said strap member including a handle portion at one end thereof for manual reciprocation of said scraper members relative to said elbow member, said elbow member being formed with an opening in a wall portion thereof for passing the handle portion of said strap member therethrough whereby reciprocation of said scraper means is operative to dislodge waste matter deposited on inner surface portions of said elbow member.
 2. The combination as in claim 1, and further including means on said elbow member for enclosing an extended handle portion of said scraper means.
 3. The combination as in claim 2, wherein said elbow member is J shaped with long and short arms, said enclosing means comprising a tubular member mounted on an arm of said J shaped member for communication with the interior of said elbow member, cap means on the outer end of said tubular member, said cap means being formed with an opening to pass the handle portion of said scraper means therethrough.
 4. The combination as in claim 1, wherein said strap member includes a forward end portion disposed in a substantially axial zone of said elbow member for engaging portions of waste deposit spaced from opposed surface portions of said elbow member.
 5. The combination as in claim 1 wherein each of said scraper members has a plurality of pins extending from the inner surface thereof.
 6. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said scraper members have an arcuate extent of from 180* to 270* .
 7. The combination as in claim 3, wherein said cap means is internally threaded and said tubular enclosing member is externally threaded on the outer end thereof for threaded engagement with said cap means, annular washer means within said cap means and a slotted washer member within said cap means and disposed outwardly of said annular washed means.
 8. In combination, a drain trap comprising a curved tubular elbow member and cleaning means mounted on said elbow member for cleaning said trap, said cleaning means comprising scraping means moveably mounted within said elbow member, said scraping means comprising an elongated resilient strap member for conforming to the curvature of said elbow member upon movement of said strap member relative to said elbow member, and a plurality of split, partially circular scraper members mounted in spaced relation and transversely relation on said strap member, said scraper members having their outer surface portions disposed adjacent opposed inner surface portions of said elbow member and having contours complementary to the curvature of said elbow member at various points along the extent thereof, and handle means at one end of said strap member for manually reciprocating said cleaning means relative to said elbow member. 